- Fans can book tickets online at pcb.tcs.com.pk; Points table is available here
- The official nomenclature of the tournament is HBL PSL X; Media houses are advised to use the correct nomenclature in all texts, headlines and bulletins
Rawalpindi, 16 April 2025: Defending champions Islamabad United continued their strong start to the tournament, outclassing Multan Sultans by 47 runs here at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium in the seventh match of HBL PSL X on Wednesday night.
United all-rounder Jason Holder starred with both bat and ball in a convincing victory that marked their third successive win. He first launched an explosive cameo to lift United past the 200-run mark, then returned to inflict damage with the ball, taking four wickets to bowl Sultans out for 155 in 18.4 overs.
Sultans’ chase was rocked early with the wicket of Shai Hope in the first over by Naseem Shah before Usman Khan and skipper Mohammad Rizwan dished out a counterattack with an attacking 59-run stand in 32 balls. Usman’s dismissal by Imad Wasim for a 20-ball 31 featuring three fours and two sixes stalled Sultans’ momentum.
Rizwan (38, 27b, 3x4s, 1×6) was the fourth batter dismissed, falling to opposing skipper Shadab Khan with the score at 96, as the Sultans chase gradually faded. Holder ran through the lower-order with the wickets of David Willey, Usama Mir and Mohammad Hasnain for low scores to finish with figures of 4-0-25-4 while Imad grabbed two for 33 in his four overs.
Earlier, Holder and Haider Ali’s fireworks with the bat carried Islamabad United to 202-6, hammering 64 runs in the last four overs of the innings. Haider clubbed three boundaries and two maximums in his 16-ball 33, while Holder remained unbeaten with 32 off just 14 balls.
The solid platform had been laid by the tournament’s leading run-scorer so far Sahibzada Farhan (53, 35b, 7x4s, 2x6s). Sahibzada was involved in a fiery 45-run opening partnership with Andries Gous and a 35-run stand with Colin Munro for the second wicket.
Munro offered great value with a breezy 48 from 25 deliveries laced with four boundaries and three maximums before he was dismissed by pacer Ubaid Shah.
For Sultans, Chris Jordan was the top wicket-taker in the innings returning 2-41.
Following this result, United have consolidated their position at the top of the points table as Sultans stay in the fifth place with two losses in as many games.
Scores in brief
Match 7: Islamabad United beat Multan Sultans by 47 runs at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium
Islamabad United 202-6, 20 overs (Sahibzada Farhan 53, Colin Munro 48, Haider Ali 33, Jason Holder 32 not out; Chris Jordan 2-41)
Multan Sultans 155 all out, 18.4 overs (Mohammad Rizwan 38, Iftikhar Ahmed 32, Usman Khan 31; Jason Holder 4-25, Imad Wasim 2-33)
Player of the match – Jason Holder (Islamabad United)
Friday’s fixture: Karachi Kings v Quetta Gladiators at National Bank Stadium, Karachi; 8pm PKT
